Yote Notes – April 24, 2008

Mike Safford Jr. – Sports Info. Director

msafford@collegeofidaho.edu

ATHLETIC NEWS:

GOLF TEAM SET FOR REGIONAL TOURNAMENT: The C of I men’s and women’s golfers will head to Coeur d’Alene on Monday and Tuesday for the annual NAIA Region I Tournament – pitting the Coyotes against every golf-playing team in the Northwest. The Coyote men, which finished fourth in the inaugural Cascade Conference season will battle against their league foes (Concordia, Corban, Northwest Christian), along with Frontier Conference foes (Lewis-Clark State, Westminster, Montana-Western, Rocky Mountain Montana Tech, Carroll, Great Falls), and independents (Simon Fraser, British Columbia, and Victoria). The C of I women will not compete for a team title, as they will have three competitors – needing four for a team score.

SOCCER TEAM SET FOR EXTRAVAGANZA: Next week will be a wild weekend for both the Coyote men’s and women’s soccer teams – as events will be taking place Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Thursday, the teams will be hosting a Soccer Day in the evening at Symms Field – partnering with local soccer organizations, as up to 500 youths will be making their way on the campus. Friday is the start of Alumni Weekend, as the teams will be holding the first Soccer and Friends Golf Tournament in Boise (more information on either the men’s or women’s soccer website – www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/menssoccer.htm or www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/wmensoccer.htm), while Saturday is the annual Alumni Games – with the Lady Yotes meeting the alumni at 3 p.m. with the men’s game to follow.

FORMER BASEBALLERS SIGN CONTRACTS: A pair of former C of I baseball players have signed professional contracts in recent days. Jason Simontacchi, who played for the Yotes in 1996, signed a deal with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League. Simontacchi is the last Coyote to play in the Major Leagues, seeing action with both the St. Louis Cardinals and the Washington Nationals. Also inking a deal was Brandon Florence, who graduated from the College in 2001. Florence will play this year for the Bridgeport Bluefish, also of the Atlantic League – after spending time in the San Francisco Giants, Baltimore Orioles, and Philadelphia Phillies minor league systems.

SAFFORD BACK TO THE MINORS AS WELL: C of I sports information director, Mike Safford, is also headed back to the minor leagues, as he will serve as the Director of Broadcasting this summer for the Boise Hawks, the Chicago Cubs short-season “A” affiliate. Safford will call all 76-games this summer on 1350 KTIK-AM with all home games having a video simulcast on www.boisehawks.com. He previously served as the Hawks broadcaster from 2003-05 and has been the Voice of the Coyotes for the past seven years.

SIMON WINS MEDIA DAY DERBY: Congratulations to KIVI-TV’s Randy Simon, who was the winner of the annual C of I baseball media day home run derby. With the wind blowing in at 20 mph, no long balls were hit, though, Simon had seven solid base hits in his round of 20 swings, outdistancing colleague Joe Hughes and Idaho Press Tribune writers Dave Southern and Will Lowe. Southern won the award for the longest drive, a deep opposite field hit to the right-centerfield gap. The Yotes would like to thank the members of the media for their support of C of I Baseball.

BASEBALL (20-22): Yotes finally return home after 38 days on the road, open four-game set with Corban College

LAST WEEK: at Concordia (W 10-3, L 6-5, W 9-3, L 2-1)

COMING UP: vs. Corban (DH), Friday, 1 p.m.; vs. Corban (DH), Saturday, 11 a.m.; at Central Washington (DH), Tuesday, Noon (PT)

ZUBIZARRETA NAMED PITCHER OF WEEK: For the fourth time in five weeks, The College of Idaho had a hurler named Cascade Conference Pitcher of the Week, as Joey Zubizarreta (Boise, Idaho / Cochise CC) earned the honor on Monday. The senior tossed seven shutout innings in Sunday’s 9-3 victory over Concordia, allowing six hits, walking one, and striking out five. “Zuby” picked up his fourth win of the season along the way, tying him for the CCC lead in victories.

YOTES HOLD REGIONAL HOST SITE IN OWN HANDS: With two weeks remaining in the regular season, the Coyotes hold their own destiny as to where the NAIA Region I Tournament will be held. British Columbia currently holds a two and a half game lead on the Yotes – with The C of I having six games remaining, and UBC with three (all with the Yotes). A sweep over Corban this weekend would pull the Yotes within one game of UBC, with a sweep of the T-Birds on the final weekend of the season giving the Coyotes the title and host site for the postseason tourney.

FOURTH STRAIGHT CASCADE CONFERENCE TITLE?: Along with the regional race, the Yotes have a chance this weekend to clinch their fourth-straight Cascade Conference championship. The Coyotes have an 11-4 record against CCC foes (Corban, Oregon Tech, Concordia), leading Concordia by two and a half games. The C of I needs to win just 2-of-3 with Corban this weekend to clinch the title.

LONGSTANDING STREAKS IN REACH: With ten games remaining in the regular season, a pair of long Coyote streaks look to be attainable for the 2008 C of I squad. With one more regional win, the Yotes will clinch a spot in the NAIA Region I Tournament – which would be the 22nd-straight postseason berth. If the Coyotes can win half of their remaining games this season, they would reach the 25-win plateau for the 22nd-straight season – each of the years of competition since The C of I reinstated baseball in 1987.

REGIONAL/NATIONAL POLL: The NAIA Region I Coaches Poll remained the same this week, as Lewis-Clark State continues to sit in the No. 1 spot, followed by British Columbia and the Coyotes. Rounding out the balloting are Concordia, Corban, and Oregon Tech. The latest NAIA Top-25 saw Lubbock Christian in the No. 1 spot for the third-straight week, followed by L-C, Lee, Azusa Pacific, and Oklahoma City. The regional poll is released each Monday afternoon, with the national poll released on Wednesday’s.

ON A HITTING BINGE: Over the last 11 games (all on the road) – beginning with the first game of a doubleheader at Lewis-Clark State on April 8, the Yotes have recorded at least 12 hits in nine of the games, for a team batting average of .346. During that stretch, the Coyotes averaged nearly seven runs per game and had a team on base percentage of .420. Six players have seen their batting averages rise dramatically during the stretch – all hitting above .395 during the span. Jake Miller (Idaho Falls, Idaho / Treasure Valley CC) leads the way with a .458 average with nine RBI during the stretch, while Richie Snider (Sandpoint, Idaho / Porterville CC) holds a .438 average with a team-high 11 RBI. Also hitting well are Devin Weaver (Boise, Idaho / Treasure Valley CC) at .429, Bryan Champ (Boise, Idaho / Borah HS) at .415, Dane McGrady (Boise, Idaho / Borah HS) at .409, and Brad Carlsen (Reno, Nev. / Western Nevada CC) at .395.

DUBIOUS NATIONAL RECORD: Unfortunately for the Yotes, a national record was tied in Saturday’s 6-5 loss to Concordia – one The C of I would like to forget. The Purple and Gold hit into six double plays in the loss – a twin killing to end each of the final six innings of the game. The Yotes join three other schools that have achieved the unlikely feat – the last being Westmont (Calif.) in 1984.

FINALLY AT HOME: Simplot Stadium has been vacant on weekends over the last five weekends, as the Coyotes have spent the last 38 days on the road, racking up 20-straight games away from their home diamond. Not much has changed for the Yotes, as they left town with a 10-12 record and return with a 20-22 mark – finishing the roadie with an even 10-10 record. The club, however, will play eight of their final ten games at home – including two four-game weekend series, one against Corban and one against British Columbia.

ABOUT CORBAN: This week’s home series is a Friday-Saturday match-up with Corban, who heads to Caldwell in the midst of a slump, having lost 13 of their last 16 games. The Warriors (9-25, 6-12) are coming off a tough series at Lewis-Clark State, where they were outscored 25-1 in three losses. Corban is led by Craig Spicer (.380 15 RBI), the top Cascade Conference hitter, along with Daniel Flores (.323 3 HR 32 RBI), who leads the loop in RBI, and speedy Jamie McGraw (.313 1 HR 11 RBI). On the mound, Jordan Emery (4-6 6.01 ERA) is their top hurler, having thrown a complete game victory against the Yotes last month. The Coyotes took 2-of-3 against the Warriors earlier this season and hold a commanding 70-10 all-time series lead.

WEEKDAY TRIP TO CENTRAL WASHINGTON: The Coyotes will complete the non-conference portion of their schedule next Tuesday, as The C of I makes the trek to Ellensburg, Wash., for a doubleheader against Central Washington. The Wildcats (22-14) are currently in second-place in the NCAA Division II Great Northwest Athletic Conference and are ranked No. 8 in the latest D-II Western Region Poll. Jamie Nilson (.457 3 HR 33 RBI) has been the offensive stalwart for the Cats, with Nate Rylaarsdam (.310 4 HR 35 RBI) and Hank Anderson (.267 6 HR 21 RBI) providing the pop in the line-up. The rotation is anchored by Tyler Levin (5-3 2.76 ERA 63 K) and Michael McCanna (6-0 2.91 ERA) – who both pitched against the Yotes in March, with Central splitting a twinbill with The C of I. The two teams have met 53 previous times, with the Yotes holding a 41-12 series edge.

CONFERENCE LEADERS: Seven Coyotes are among the Cascade Conference leaders in the latest statistical report – five hitters and two pitchers. Leading the group is Brad Carlsen, who ranks in the Top-5 in six categories – No. 1 in runs scored (37), No. 2 in home runs (4) and walks (23), No. 3 in stolen bases (11) and doubles (23), and No. 4 in hits (47). Richie Snider ranks among the leaders in three categories – No. 1 in triples (2), and No. 4 in both batting average (.360) and RBI (24), as is Cody Brubaker (Post Falls, Idaho / Spokane Falls CC), who is No. 3 in runs scored (29) and No. 4 in both RBI (24) and walks (21). Rounding out the hitters are Jake Miller, who is No. 1in hits (54) and No. 3 in batting average (.365), with Luke Howarth (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS), who is No. 1 in stolen bases (12). Pitcher Pat Lyon (Bonners Ferry, Idaho / Bonners Ferry HS) is No. 2 in ERA (2.93), while Joey Zubizarreta is tied for the league lead in wins (4) and is No. 4 in ERA (3.83).

REGION I TEAM STATISTICS: Batting Average – Lewis-Clark State .357, College of Idaho .297, British Columbia .288, Concordia .286, Oregon Tech .278, Corban .258; Earned Run Average – Lewis-Clark State 2.85, British Columbia 4.64, College of Idaho 5.24, Oregon Tech 5.29, Concordia 5.94, Corban 6.30; Fielding Percentage – Lewis-Clark State .966, Corban .956, College of Idaho .954, Concordia .949, British Columbia .948, Oregon Tech .936.

UPDATING THE RECORD BOOK: Three Coyotes have moved up the ladder on the Yotes career record book list. Dane McGrady is No. 3 all-time in hit by pitches (45), Joey Zubizarreta is No. 5 in appearances (65), with Luke Howarth sitting in the No. 9 spot on the sacrifice hits (13) category.

SERIES AT CONCORDIA: Saturday - The stats pointed toward a C of I sweep of Concordia in the NAIA Region I baseball doubleheader - 30 hits, seven hit batsmen, and seven CU errors.  However, the Coyotes hit into ten double plays - including an NAIA national record-tying six in the nightcap, as the two teams split the twinbill in Portland, The C of I winning the opener, 10-3, with Concordia taking Game 2, 6-5. The Coyotes jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the opening game after two innings and coasted to the win.  Jake Miller went 3-for-4 with an RBI single in the first and a two-run homer in the fifth inning, while Brad Carlsen went 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Jake Bottari (Wells, Nev. / Western Nevada CC) went the distance in his first start since February, tossing six shutout innings before allowing a three-run Ben Lanier homer in the seventh. Game 2, which was delayed 40 minutes due to weather, saw the Yotes ahead 5-0 in the sixth inning, before the Cavs rallied for the win - thanks in part to turning double plays in each of the final six frames.  Pat Lyon allowed just one hit through five innings for the Yotes, but CU got a pair of unearned runs in the sixth and Sean Myrom hit a solo homer in the seventh to make it 5-3.  Closer Jason Barry (Castlegar, B.C. / U. of Northern Iowa) could not get the final six outs - allowing three runs on four hits in the eighth - capped by a Jon Houts two-run double, to complete the comeback. Miller and Dane McGrady each had three hits for the Yotes, while Richie Snider, Devin Weaver, and Carlsen each had two. Sunday - Joey Zubizarreta pitched seven innings of shutout ball and The C of I offense scored nine runs in the first three innings, as the Coyotes upended the Cavaliers, 9-3, in the Region I counter at The Yard in Portland, Ore.  CU claimed the seven inning non-region match-up, 2-1. The senior scattered six hits, walking one, and striking out five to pick up his second victory in a row and even his season record at 4-4.  Zubizarreta allowed just one runner to reach bases in his outing.  The Yotes scored an unearned run in the first, then tacked on four runs in each of the next two frames to make it 9-0.  Bryan Champ had the big hit in the second with a two-run single, while an error by shortstop Jon Houts on an inning-ending ground ball by Miller allowed two more runs to score in the third. Carlsen went 3-for-5 with three runs scored, with Champ, Weaver, Snider, and Jacob Garsez (Caldwell, Idaho / Columbia Basin CC) each recording two hits for the Yotes.  Ryan Sussenguth went 3-for-5 with an RBI for the Cavaliers, who scored their three runs in the final two innings. Game 2 saw CU score a pair of runs in the first on a Kenny Schneider double and made them stand up.  The Coyotes had a runner in scoring position in five of the seven innings, but managed just an unearned run on a passed ball in the fourth. Andrew Brock (Burnaby, B.C. / Douglas CC) went five innings, allowing two runs on six hits, but took the loss.  Miller had two more hits in the game for The C of I.

ABOUT THE COACH: The 2008 season marks the 21st year in The College of Idaho baseball program for head coach Shawn Humberger, his eighth year as Coyote skipper. Last season, he led the squad to a 31-17 mark, their third-straight Cascade Conference championship, and a runner-up finish at the NAIA Region I Tournament. During his tenure, Humberger has compiled a 256-179-1 record, including a third-place finish at the 2002 NAIA World Series. He has been named CCC Baseball Coach of the Year in 2002, 2005, 2006, and 2007, along with earning NAIA Region I Coach-of-the-Year and CCC Men's Coach-of-the-Year for all sports in 2002.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on the Coyote baseball program, head to the official homepage of the Yotes – www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/baseball.htm.

SOFTBALL (19-16, 8-10): Coyotes return home for must-win stretch of games, starting with Southern and OIT

LAST WEEK: at Northwest Christian (W 3-0, W 4-1)

COMING UP: vs. Southern Oregon (DH), Friday, 3 p.m.; vs. No. 20 Oregon Tech (DH), Saturday, 11 a.m.

TIME CHANGE VS. EASTERN: Next week’s home finale against Eastern Oregon has seen the time moved from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will mark as the final games at Symms Field for the Yotes senior class, while also serving as Fan Appreciation Day – with C of I President Robert Hoover and Caldwell Mayor Garrett Nancolas throwing out the honorary first pitches.

ZILLNER NAMED NATIONAL PITCHER OF THE WEEK: For her efforts in wins against Great Falls and Northwest Christian, pitcher Katie Zillner (Emmett, Idaho / Chicago State U.) became the first C of I softball player to be named NAIA National Pitcher of the Week. The senior went 2-0 without allowing an earned run in 14 innings pitched, striking out a staggering 28 batters. She allowed six hits in a 4-0 win over UGF with 15 strikeouts, followed by 13 strikeouts in a one-hit 3-0 shutout of NCC. Zillner also became the first Coyote to record 500 strikeouts in a career.

WEEKLY HONORS DOMINATED BY Z: Prior to earning the national award, Zillner was named Cascade Conference and NAIA Region I Pitcher of the Week. It marked the third time this season that she has won the awards and was the seventh time in her career that she took home the weekly honors.

OTHER NATIONAL AWARD WINNERS: Zillner became the second C of I athlete to earn an NAIA national weekly award this school year, as current teammate, Amy Rhoades (Eagle, Idaho / Dixie State Coll.) was named Women’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week in September. Four other female athletes have received national accolades – volleyball players Erin Cherrington (2006), Charity Gaston (2005), and Amanda Basanez (2003), with basketball standout Alyson Pincock winning the award in 2001.

PLAYOFF CHASE REACHES FULL THROTTLE: With just two weeks left in the regular-season, only Oregon Tech has secured themselves a spot with Simon Fraser in the NAIA Region I Tournament, set for May 8-9. The Lady Yotes, on the other hand, are currently on the outside looking in, needing wins, plus help to erase a two-game deficit on third-place. For the Coyotes to get back in the mix, they must sweep Southern Oregon on Friday – which would pull them even with SOU in the standings, then win at least one game against Oregon Tech on Saturday. The C of I would then need a sweep of Eastern Oregon next weekend to post a 13-11 or 14-10 record in the clubhouse. Then comes the waiting game, as the Yotes would need SOU to lose a pair of games against Oregon Tech and Corban to lose a pair of games to Concordia to squeeze the Coyotes in the regional. Next week should make the picture much clearer.

REGIONAL/NATIONAL POLL: No changes in this week’s NAIA Region I poll, as the Yotes remain out of the top-five for the second-straight week. Simon Fraser is on top, followed by Oregon Tech, Concordia, Southern Oregon, and Corban. Nationally, Cal Baptist claims the No. 1 spot in the NAIA, followed by Point Loma Nazarene, Oklahoma City, Trevecca Nazarene, and Mobile – with SFU at No. 12 and OIT at No. 20.

WIN STREAK: The Coyotes currently have a modest four-game win streak – their second longest of the season. Back in February, the squad ran off five wins in a row, but have not tallied more than three-straight wins the rest of the season.

MUST WIN #1 VS. SOUTHERN OREGON: To have any shot at the postseason, the Coyotes must sweep Friday’s doubleheader with Southern Oregon. The Raiders (12-18, 10-8 CCC) have recovered from a dismal 1-9 start to the season to post just one of three records above the .500 mark in league play. SOU is paced offensively by Danielle Stratton (.325 1 HR 14 RBI), Alicia Caudill (.288 1 HR 12 RBI), and Savannah Sanitos (.228 3 HR 14 RBI), while Caudill (5-9 3.88 ERA) and Joelle Riekeman (6-7 5.03 ERA) have logged every inning this season in the circle. SOU swept the Yotes in Ashland earlier this season and hold a 22-9 all-time series lead.

MUST WIN #2 VS. OREGON TECH: Saturday, 20th-ranked Oregon Tech makes their annual trek to Caldwell for a Saturday twinbill with the Yotes. The Owls (28-10, 16-2) can clinch their second CCC title in three years with two wins this weekend and bring a 12-game win streak with them, having scored seven or more runs in eight of the victories. Leading the way is Player of the Year candidate Jenni Bittle (.395 6 HR 30 RBI), who is among the league leaders in nearly all offensive categories, while Brittany Warren (.336 6 HR 28 RBI) and Sunny Titus (.307 4 HR 26 RBI) have been just as good – helping Tech to a .322 team batting average. Bittle (15-5 1.84 ERA) is also OIT’s top pitcher, while No. 2 starter Keri Gesner (12-5 2.62 ERA) tossed a four-hit shutout against the Yotes earlier this month. The two teams have met 30 times previously, with OIT holding a 25-5 series edge.

CONFERENCE TEAM STATISTICS: Batting Average – Oregon Tech .322, Concordia .286, Corban .277, College of Idaho .266, Eastern Oregon .265, Southern Oregon .262, Northwest Christian .226; Earned Run Average –Oregon Tech 2.18, College of Idaho 2.50, Concordia 3.12, Northwest Christian 3.50, Corban 3.72, Eastern Oregon 3.96, Southern Oregon 4.46; Fielding Percentage – Oregon Tech .953, Concordia .953, Eastern Oregon .943, College of Idaho. 942, Southern Oregon .942, Corban .941, Northwest Christian .922.

YOTES BEAT RAIN AND NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN: Katie Zillner and Brooke Judy (Kuna, Idaho / Kuna HS) each tossed complete game one-hitters, as The C of I kept their playoff hopes alive with 4-0 and 3-1 victories over Northwest Christian at rain soaked James Park, Saturday in Eugene, Ore. The one-hitters helped extend the Lady Yotes win streak to four games and pulled The C of I within two games of third-place Southern Oregon and the final regional berth. Zillner dominated the opener, striking out 13 batters to record her sixth shutout of the season.  It marked the 25th time in her career that she has recorded ten or more strikeouts in a game. The Yotes got on the board quickly, as Donnae Carrell (Caldwell, Idaho / Middleton HS) doubled, was sacrificed to third, and scored on a pitch.  The Beacons made some noise in the fourth as Cassie Bishop recorded NCC's lone hit and with one out, Cotie Howard walked.  A wild pitched moved the runners to second and third, but Zillner fanned back-to-back batters to end the threat.  The C of I made it 3-0 in the seventh, as Carrell added an RBI triple and Zillner added an RBI single to cap the scoring. Game 2 got off on the right foot for the Yotes, as Dani Villyard (Kent, Wash. / Kentlake HS) ripped a three-run homer in the first, her sixth of the season.  The Beacons scored an unearned run in the third, with the Coyotes scoring an unearned run of their own in the fourth.  The score would remain 4-1 into the sixth, when a hailstorm hit the field - ending the game due to unplayable conditions. Judy was solid in the circle, walking three and striking out one in five innings to pick up the win.  Haley Butcher (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS) went 3-for-3 in the nightcap for the Coyotes.

ONE HITTERS: The one-hitters tossed by the Coyotes was the first time that they have recorded back-to-back one hit games in program history and the fifth and sixth one-hitters tossed by C of I pitchers. Zillner threw a one-hitter last season in a victory over Walla Walla, with the 2005 recording a pair of one-hitters, and the first one-hit game in 2004.

ABOUT THE COACH: Al Mendiola is in his third year as head coach of The College of Idaho softball program and has a 74-53 all-time record – already the all-time winningest coach in C of I history. The native of San Diego, Calif. has helped the Lady Yotes become a force in Northwest softball, leading The C of I to back-to-back playoff appearances, including the 2007 Cascade Conference championship. Following the season, Mendiola was honored as CCC and NAIA Region I Coach of the Year after the Coyotes set a school record with 37 wins, climbing to as high as No. 14 in the NAIA poll, an advanced to the regional title game. A 1994 graduate of The C of I, Mendiola played two seasons of baseball for head coach Tim Mooney, earning honorable mention NAIA All-America honors as a senior.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on the Coyote softball program, head to the official homepage of the Lady Yotes – www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/fastpitch.htm.

TRACK: Coyotes set to compete locally at NNU Twilight

LAST WEEK: at Western Oregon Twilight

COMING UP: at Northwest Nazarene Twilight, Friday-Saturday, Nampa.

HOPPER WINS 5,000 IN NAIA AUTO TIME: Tyler Hopper (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS) recorded his second NAIA Automatic standard of the spring, winning the 5,000-meter race in 14:50.15 at the Western Oregon Twilight.  The senior dominated the race, winning by over nine-seconds, defeating rival Tim Badley of Concordia. The senior now has a pair of NAIA “A” marks and an NAIA “B” mark for the national championships in St. Louis, Mo.

WOMEN’S RUNNERS FINALLY MEET NAIA MARKS: The Lady Yotes also posted their first two qualifying times of the season - as freshman Stephanie Helm (Challis, Idaho / Challis HS) met the NAIA "A" standard in the 5,000, placing fifth in 17:59.08.  She was joined in the race by Katie Ball (Boise, Idaho / Boise HS) , who met the NAIA "B" standard with a personal best time of 18:21.12. It marks the first time that the Lady Yotes have had two distance runners qualify for nationals on the track – last season, Shannon Edwards qualified in the 5,000 and Natalie Hatch met the standard in the marathon.

COLD, COLD, COLD: The conditions in the Willamette Valley were less than ideal for an evening meet – as a cold front plunged into the area, with temperatures for the 5,000 and 10,000 meter races in the 30s. In fact, head coach Pat McCurry stated that while he was watching the men’s 5,000, he saw ice beginning to form in the pole vault pit.

OTHERS RUN WELL IN MONMOUTH: Other C of I runners performing well were Geoff Williams (Boise, Idaho / Boise HS), who placed third in the 3,000-steeplechase with a season-best 10:03.63, along with Stephanie Sparks (West Jordan, Utah / Juan Diego HS), who placed second (2:22.37), and Ashley Miller (Vida, Ore. / McKenzie HS), who placed third (2:23.12) in the 800-meters.

NO U OF O: On the original schedule for the Yotes was this weekend’s Oregon Relays, hosted by the University of Oregon at Hayward Field in Eugene. However, due to budget constraints, the Yotes will not send runners to the prestigious meet – instead allowing the entire team to run locally at a meet hosted by Northwest Nazarene.

A TWILIGHT?: The Yotes will compete on Friday afternoon and all day Saturday at the Northwest Nazarene Twilight – although none of the events will take place in the evening. One of the key races at the meet, which will feature The C of I, NNU, and Boise State, is the 4x800-meter relay, as the Lady Yotes look to try and meet an NAIA qualifying mark. Temperatures for the meet are expected to be around the 60 degree mark, however, there is a good probability of windy conditions.

TOP-FIVE MARKS IN CASCADE CONFERENCE: Three different C of I men and four different C of I women rank in the top-five among Cascade Conference athletes in the latest top-time report, released Tuesday by the league office - including three No. 1 rankings.  On the men's side, Tyler Hopper holds the top times in the CCC in both the 800 (1:53.76) and 1,500 (3:53.82), while having the second-fastest time in the 5,000 (14:50.15). Jesse Chlebeck (Eagan, Minn. / Eagan HS) has the fourth-fastest time in the 5,000 (15:06.27), while Sam Finch (Redding, Calif. / Foothill HS) is fourth in the long jump (21-11). Leading the loop on the women’s side is Jayne Saunders (Emmett, Idaho / Emmett HS), who has the fastest 800-meter time (2:18.56), along with the second-fastest 400-hurdles (1:05.86) time. Also in the Top-5 are Stephanie Sparks, who has the second-fastest 800-meter (2:19.94) time, Stephanie Helm, who has the third-fastest time both the 1,500-meters (4:51.71) and the 5,000-meters (17:59.08), with Katie Ball fifth in the 1,500-meters (4:54.61) and 1,500 (18:21.12).

NATIONAL QUALIFIERS: NAIA "A" - Tyler Gross (Buffalo, N.Y. / Springfield Griffith Inst.), Tyler Hopper (1,500-meters (No. 6 in NAIA), 5,000-meters (No. 8 in NAIA)), Stephanie Helm (5,000-meters (No. 13 in NAIA)); NAIA "B" - Tyler Hopper (800-meters (No. 16 in NAIA)), Jesse Chlebeck (5,000-meters (No. 20 in NAIA)), Katie Ball (5,000-meters).

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on the Coyote track and field team, head to the official homepage of the Yotes – www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/track.htm.

TENNIS: Season Review

LAST WEEK: at Treasure Valley CC (W 9-0), vs. Bellevue CC (W 8-1)

COMING UP: Season Complete

LADY YOTES CLOSE OUT SEASON WITH WINS: The C of I women’s tennis team closed out the 2008 season with a pair of victories last week – sweeping Treasure Valley CC in Ontario, 9-0, then stopping Bellevue CC in Nampa, 8-1.

LOOKING BACK AT 2008: This season was a tale of two halves – the first half of the season where the Lady Yotes dropped three matches in Hawaii and in Lewiston, then winning 6-of-7 matches to close the season. Leading The C of I was Kim Clements (Boise, Idaho / Bishop Kelly HS) and Kate Leadbetter (Grand Junction, Colo. / West River Acad.), who both recorded seven singles wins, while Leadbetter led the team with 12 overall victories. Amanda McEldowney (Caldwell, Idaho / Linfield Coll.) led the Yotes with 106 singles game victories as the team rallied to win more games than they lost (593-570) on the season, recording a 41-35 overall record in singles play. The team also had phenomenal doubles play in the second half of the year, as the Yotes won 18 of their final 21 doubles points.

SENIORS HAD GREAT CAREERS: Last weekend’s matches wrapped up the careers of a pair of C of I seniors – Kyla Westerberg (Caldwell, Idaho / Boise State U.) and Karin Hayashida (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS). Westerberg has been a mainstay at the top of the Yotes ladder throughout her career – earning All-Region I honors in 2005. She recorded 30 career singles victories and 25 doubles wins in her four years as a Yote. Hayashida, who was a 2007 Daktronics/NAIA Scholar-Athlete, has been a consistent force in the Coyote ladder, winning 19 singles and ten doubles matches in her four seasons in the Purple and Gold.

LIMBAGO STILL GOING STRONG: Longtime C of I tennis coach Cisco Limbago just completed his 23rd season as Lady Yote head coach – the longest tenure of any coach on the current athletic department staff. He now has an all-time record of 169-122 – winning at least six matches in 20 of the 23 years as coach.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on the Lady Yotes, head to the official homepage of C of I tennis – www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/wtennis.htm.